Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in professional rugby brought his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

"I have had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.

"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has given significant attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.

"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sibling died recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.

His charitable organization aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."